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ATIA unveils game-changing initiatives at inaugural Beyond Borders Summit

These initiatives, introduced as part of Project A30, represent a comprehensive reset for the Association and the industry, with the goal of fostering long-term growth, innovation and sustainability.

Project A30 is the culmination of a transformative three-year strategy that positions ATIA to respond to the evolving challenges and opportunities faced by the Australian travel industry.

Key announcements unveiled at the Summit include:

• Single-brand transition with “ATAS accredited” becoming “ATIA accredited”: ATIA will consolidate under a unified brand, retiring the ATAS brand and moving towards a singular, recognisable identity. This transition aims to strengthen consumer trust and create a trusted travel ecosystem that connects suppliers, agencies and consumers more seamlessly. The move is designed to foster deeper engagement with consumers while simplifying the identity of the organisation across the entire supply chain.
• Industry-led protections: As part of its strategic commitment to the industry’s future, ATIA is developing new supplier and agency protection measures to safeguard both members and travellers. This program is designed to reduce risk, improve accountability and enhance confidence across the sector. A full proposal for industry-wide consultation is expected in 2025, signalling a collaborative approach to enhancing consumer protections without overburdening businesses with unnecessary regulations.
• Workforce-development Initiatives: ATIA will introduce a suite of programs aimed at attracting and retaining talent in the travel industry. This includes a Gap Year program that will invite school leavers to experience careers in travel, as well as the Travel Career Kickstart Training Program aimed at providing new starters with the skills they need to enter the workforce. These initiatives are critical in addressing the industry’s skill shortages and creating pathways for future generations of travel professionals.
• Modern-slavery-reporting solutions: ATIA is also leading the charge on streamlining compliance with Modern Slavery regulations. Working with partners, the Association will develop a bespoke solution that integrates with existing accreditation processes, reducing the burden on businesses and helping the industry address this critical issue more efficiently.
• Data Insight Series: Finally, ATIA announced the launch of its Enterprise Benchmarking Reports, a new data insight series that provides members with tailored performance comparisons against industry peers. This tool, leveraging de-identified ATAS and economic data, will offer valuable insights into market trends and member performance, allowing businesses to make informed decisions based on both historical and current data. It builds on ATIA’s monthly Travel Trends Reports.

Afterpay is the major sponsor for the Beyond Borders Travel Summit. This strategic partnership underscores Afterpay’s commitment to supporting the travel industry’s growth and innovation.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA CHAIR CHRISTIAN HUNTER:
“The initiatives announced today are the result of three years of diligent work by the ATIA Board and Executive team and mark the start of a key realignment of this organisation.”

“The Board has focused on steering ATIA towards a future where we can better respond to the changing landscape of the travel industry with agility and foresight. The shift to a single brand reflects our strategy to build a unified and trusted travel ecosystem. This move will ensure greater engagement with consumers while simplifying the way we represent our members across the supply chain. By consolidating our identity, we are reinforcing the strength of the industry, ensuring that ATIA remains a leader in trust and reliability.”

“The introduction of industry-led protections is a crucial part of our long-term vision to reduce risk for our members and enhance consumer confidence. This initiative is designed to protect both businesses and travellers without adding unnecessary regulatory burdens, demonstrating our commitment to proportionate, effective solutions that benefit the entire sector.”

“Our focus on workforce development is about ensuring the future sustainability of our industry. Attracting new talent through programs like the Gap Year initiative and the Travel Career Kickstart Training Program is key to addressing the skill shortages we face. These programs represent a long-term strategy to position Travel as an attractive and viable career path for the next generation.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA CEO DEAN LONG:
“The Single Brand Transition and the switch to ‘ATIA accredited’ is more than just a rebranding; it’s about creating a seamless and trusted travel ecosystem that benefits the entire travel community. This move will allow us to engage more effectively with consumers and build long-term trust, ensuring that our members remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.”

“Our Industry-Led Protections initiative will be a game-changer for risk management within the sector. By proactively creating protections for suppliers and travel businesses, we’re safeguarding our members and also enhancing consumer confidence in booking through ATIA-accredited businesses. This program will strengthen our industry’s reputation as a leader in quality, security and reliability.”

“The Gap Year program and Travel Career Kickstart Training are key to fostering the next generation of travel professionals. These initiatives will create accessible pathways for young people to explore careers in Travel, helping us address ongoing workforce shortages while positioning the industry as an exciting and viable career option.”

“We’ve heard loud and clear from our members that compliance with Modern Slavery regulations has become an increasing burden. By developing a bespoke solution that integrates with our existing accreditation processes, we’re making compliance more efficient and effective for all businesses, while helping our industry play its part in addressing a critical global issue.”

“The introduction of Enterprise Benchmarking Reports is also a direct response to member feedback. These reports will provide invaluable insights into business performance, enabling our members to make data-driven decisions that support their growth and success. In a competitive industry, having access to these kinds of insights is essential for staying ahead of market trends.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO AFTERPAY COUNTRY MANAGER (APAC) KATRINA KONSTAS:
“This partnership with ATIA not only reflects Afterpay’s commitment to supporting innovation and growth within the travel industry but also underscores our mission to empower travellers with greater financial flexibility. Continuing to offer Afterpay to the travel industry isn’t just about convenience; it’s about unlocking possibilities.”

“We look forward to enhancing the summit’s impact by providing valuable insights and networking opportunities for industry professionals, as we collectively navigate towards a future where travel is simpler, more flexible and financially empowering.”